Chargers LB ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct

The Raiders came into Sunday’s game leading the NFL in penalties, but it was the Chargers’ sloppy play that was the difference in the game through the first quarter.

Early in the first quarter, Chargers linebacker Antwan Barnes was ejected for continuing to pull on wide receiver Louis Murphy’s leg after the play was whistled dead. Barnes was charged with a penalty, then escorted off the field after much jawing at the officials.

Barnes came into the game leading the Chargers in sacks with 11.

The penalty put the Raiders on the Chargers’ 7-yard line. From there, they later scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass to Darrius Heyward-Bey.

Meanwhile, Oakland has already set the NFL record for most penalty yards in a single season. That dubious honor came on a 15-yard penalty on Matt Giordano, who went high on a tackle on Vincent Jackson.